Shriner's - Days 21 and 22 (cross-post)

So here we are...almost in the middle of Week 5. Ben and I are counting down the days to the weekend and til we go home. As Ben said today "10 Days!?!? That's not very long at all!"


This week brought more stair climbing work...this time with Corinne. And this time walking sideways up and down the stairs while holding on to the railing. This is likely how Ben will learn how to go up and down the stairs and is something that we can work on at home with him. I'm so glad now that we put in such a good railing on the basement stairs.

Here's a video of him on the stairs:





After the stairs, it was on to knee walking and pulling up to stand in his bare feet. Check those flat feet!!!! If you remember his "before" video, he was so high up on his toes, he looked like a ballerina. Quite a difference.

Stephanie was back with us today. And we worked on similar things. Again, here he is standing in his bare feet. I really can't get enough of looking at these flat feet. Sometimes looking at his feet before the surgery used to bring tears to my eyes as I just couldn't imagine how he'd ever be able to take independent steps with feet like that....and now? I see hope when I see these feet.

Here's a video of Ben trying to knee walk with no help. He still needs some but is getting close to doing it on his own. I love the end of the video when he pulls to stand. Really...I can't get enough of those flat feet.





In the afternoon, we did more "walking" work. We were going to do a pool session, but Dr. Farmer was at the hospital today doing a rhizotomy clinic (where he evaluates potential candidates) and we wanted to be able to show off for Dr. Farmer. Today's game was that Ben and Stephanie were secret spies. So they had to whisper and sneak around. Here they are writing down clues for me to come find them later when they went to hide.

And here's a video of Ben walking through the ladder. You can see how it makes him take big steps.




At the end of the day, we finally got to see Dr. Farmer. Ben walked with 2 canes for him and then walked some with Stephanie just holding on to his hips really lightly. We tried today to convince Ben to take afew independent steps, but he's just too timid and scared. But Dr. Farmer was so happy to see his progress and even he was willing to say that Ben will walk independently. Again, I have no idea what this really means...and they likely don't either...but like I said before, I expect at least independent walking in the house. Anything beyond that will be like icing on the cake. I have goosebumps just typing this...and can't wait to see what Ben will be doing in July when we come back for his 6-month follow-up.

I love this photo of Ben giving Dr. Farmer a High Five. Ben said thank you to Dr. Farmer for giving him new legs. Dr. Farmer's response was to thank Ben for working so hard. Totally cool.